Freecycle

[Eve]

I've just been having a look and found something I badly need locally.

I posted a message back to the poster I assume is emailed to them? Do you get an email back with any reply or do you have to check something on the site itself? I couldn't see any kind of message box.

Has anyone used Feecycle before? Seems a great system if it works.

[mccfluffy]

You get an email, i've got rid of loads tof stuff using it

[Chickadee]

When I've posted stuff on freecycle, I get an email from interested party and I can then email them and arrange collection.

[Eve]

Thank you :) So hope I get it, it's a bookshelf and badly need storage space (as well as a good clear out!). Got DVDs, books and such that have just been sitting in a box cluttering up the spare room for ages!

[evil__sheep]

you will only get an email if they decide it's you that's going to get it. For popular items, it can be impossible to get back to everyone who emailed you (i once had about 70 emails when i wanted rid of an ipod)

[jamesnan]

You could also post a "wanted " ad asking for the bookcase, in which case you will get an email from the person giving one away

[Jules001]

I've used Freecycle for quite a while now and given loads of stuff away and I have received a few things too. When giving stuff away, I only tend to email the person who I intend to give the stuff too, as another poster said you can get loads of enquiries. How I work it though is, I won't necessarily give it it the first person to respond, but tend to wait a day and then make a decision. I also decide who to give it to by how they respond. Sometimes I get an email saying Hi I want it, others are far more polite and state what they need the item for, in my mind manners cost nothing and they might be getting something they want for nothing more than the petrol to pick it up. I am sure you are anyway, but always respond politely and don't seem too desperate or needy, again I have had responses, that were in my opinion way OTT :). As already stated, you can put on a wanted post, I have done that for a video recorder and got one. Good luck, I hope you get your bookcase, the system does work and I think it is great to keep stuff out of landfill.

[atalanta]

I have just got rid of a single bed - 2 hours from putting up the ad to saying goodbye. You just have to be extraordinarly fast in replying, as anything worth having will go in a flash
Still trying to shift the curtains, though.
Here's a tip - you can join more than one freecycle group, but be prepared to have your email inbox fill up in no time at all.